Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the New KwaZulu Act on the code of Zulu law and to deal briefly with recent modifications relating to the age of majority of KwaZulu women. Prior to this Act, African women in Natal were minors in law. They had no independent powers to act even if they had reached the age of 21 years. A guardian's consent was essential for juristic acts to be validly performed. For example, a woman could not marry without the consent of her guardian. In this article, it is also proposed that the custom of Ilobolo should be prohibited by law because it clashes with the realities of modern society. Ilobolo means the livestock or other property paid in respect of a customary union by the husband or his father, as the case may be, to the wife's guardian. It is analoguous to the Roman law concept of dos. The main purpose of lobolo is to ensure the proper treatment of the bride in her new home. This article also refers to the ingquthu beast.